Kings DeMarcus Cousins demands trade, told to stay home

SACRAMENTO,CA - The Kings DeMarcus Cousins will not suit up for tonight's game against the New Orleans Hornets after he was told by Head Coach Paul Westphal to stay home.

In a press release issued by the Kings and Westphal this afternoon the statement read, "DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight."

The tensions between the Westphal and Cousins appeared to surface after last night's 114-92 loss to the New York Knicks. During his interview with the media Cousins repeatedly said, "Gotta do what your coach say."

Cousins tone was both sarcastic and defiant, and may have partially led to his dismissal for tonight's game.

"Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction, " Westphal was quoted in the press release. "As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life!"

According to Kings beat writer Jason Jones, and SI.com's Sam Amick, their sources say Cousins never demanded a trade.

Complete Statement from the Kings:

"Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction. As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life!

As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public. This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight."